The Champions League drama is already underway — and the ball hasn’t even been kicked. Thursday’s draw for the league phase of Europe’s premier club competition delivered some blockbuster matchups, with Paris Saint-Germain drawn against Barcelona and Bayern Munich, while Real Madrid are set to face both Manchester City and Liverpool in a clash of heavyweights. With the new format continuing in its second season, excitement is guaranteed from the first whistle.
PSG Handed Fierce Competition in Title Defense
Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain have no easy path to defend their crown. Luis Enrique’s side will face Barcelona away and host Bayern Munich in a tough schedule that also includes Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at home. The French giants, who only scraped through the league phase last season before lifting the trophy, must also navigate tricky away ties at Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting CP, Atalanta, and Athletic Club. There’s no margin for error in this star-studded lineup.
Real Madrid to Lock Horns with Premier League Powerhouses
Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid will host Manchester City and travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool — two ties that headline the league phase. Madrid’s other fixtures include away trips to Villarreal, Monaco, and debutants Bodo/Glimt. Real will be eager to make a statement after falling short last season, but they’ll have to earn it the hard way.
Liverpool’s Road Runs Through Madrid and Milan
Arne Slot’s Liverpool face another daunting Champions League campaign. The Reds will host Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, and Qarabag at Anfield, while their travels take them to Inter Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt, Marseille, and Galatasaray. After topping the league phase last year but exiting early in the knockouts, Liverpool are aiming to go further this time.
Man City Draw Napoli and Dortmund in Strong Group of Fixtures
Champions League winners in 2023, Manchester City must navigate a competitive schedule of their own. Pep Guardiola’s side will welcome Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and Galatasaray to the Etihad, while also traveling to Villarreal, Monaco, and Bodo/Glimt. City’s depth will be tested as they juggle domestic and European ambitions.
Other Must-Watch Fixtures Across Europe
Barcelona’s schedule includes challenging visits to Chelsea and Newcastle, while Arsenal will host Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid and make tough trips to Inter Milan and Athletic Club. Newcomers Kairat Almaty, who shocked Celtic in the play-offs, will welcome Real Madrid and travel to face Arsenal in London. Meanwhile, Cyprus’ Pafos will get a taste of the elite with matches against Chelsea and Bayern.
Champions League Format Explained
The Champions League’s revamped structure sees all 36 teams placed into a single league table. Each club plays eight matches against different opponents. The top eight progress directly to the round of 16, while those placed 9th to 24th enter the knockout round play-offs. The bottom 12 are eliminated.
Fixture Dates and Final Details
UEFA will confirm fixture dates on Saturday, with the first matchday set between September 16–18. The league phase wraps on January 28. The final will be played in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00 local time — a departure from the traditional 21:00 start.
Qualified Teams by Pot
Pot 1: PSG, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona
Pot 2: Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Atalanta, Villarreal, Juventus, Eintracht Frankfurt, Club Brugge
Pot 3: Tottenham Hotspur, PSV Eindhoven, Ajax, Napoli, Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Bodo/Glimt, Marseille
Pot 4: FC Copenhagen, Monaco, Galatasaray, Royale Union SG, Qarabag, Athletic Club, Newcastle United, Pafos, Kairat Almaty
